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Workers at Community Living Meaford receive strike mandate

“We believe that workers at Meaford are worth as much as others providing the same services to their communities.” - Debbie Farrar, OPSEU President at CLM.

Toronto (26 June 2012) - A large majority of workers at Community Living Meaford (CLM) have voted in favour of a strike should that action become necessary. A strike vote was taken after talks stalled at conciliation on June 12, 2012. The workers are members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE).

The employer refused to consider a new contract based on the pattern that has been set in the rest of Ontario. Workers have been without a contract since March 31, 2010.

“There is no good reason for conciliation to have broken down,” said OPSEU President, Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “These workers have waited a long time for a new contract, and deserve fairness. They have their union’s full support as they deal with this difficult employer.”

Deb Farrar, OPSEU President at CLM said: “Workers at Community Living Meaford are simply asking that the employer value our work and the importance of our contribution to the community. We are dedicated to serving the needs of the people and families we support, and are only asking for respect and fairness.”

“Our members have given a strong message that they will do what it takes to support our bargaining team and reach a resolution to this negotiating impasse,” said Farrar.

“It is very frustrating that our employer refuses to acknowledge the established province-wide pattern for developmental services workers contracts,” added Farrar. “We believe that workers at Meaford are worth as much as others providing the same services to their communities.”

Developmental Services workers at Community Living Meaford provide support to people with disabilities in the Meaford area.

NUPGE

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE